Mr. Nanda Fernando, Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC handing over the sponsorship cheque to Mr. H. D. Premasiri, President, Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Associationin the presence of H.E. President Maithripala Sirisenaand other dignitaries
(From left – Mr. Halin Hettigoda, Head of Deposit Mobilization, Sampath Bank; Ms. Nadi B. Dharmasiri, Head of Marketing, Sampath Bank; Mr. H. D. Premasiri, President, Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association; Mr. Nanda Fernando, Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC; H.E. President Maithripala Sirisena; Hon. Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam; Mr. Ariyadasa Weeraman, Treasurer, Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association and Mr. VijithaYapa, Immediate Past President, Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association)

Continuing to help nurture the habit of reading, Sampath Bank joined hands with the Colombo International Book Fair as the event's official banking partner for the 13th consecutive year.

H.E. President Maithripala Sirisenapaid a visit to the Sampath Bank stall at the Book Fairduring the inauguration ceremony on 15th September and reviewed the services being offered there by the Bank.Mr Nanda Fernando, Managing Director, Sampath BankPLC presented a personalized MyBook Club card to H.E. the President on this memorable occasion. He also handed over the Bank’s sponsorship cheque to the organizers, Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association, in the presence of H.E. the Presidentand other dignitaries.

MyBook Club is a novel initiative aimed at nurturing and promoting the habit of reading amongst all Sri Lankans. This programme was launched at last year’s Colombo International Book Fair by Sampath Bank in partnership with the Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association.

Book lovers can register for MyBook Club membership at the MyBook Club counter adjoining the Sampath Bank Branch at the Colombo International Book Fair or at selected Sampath Bank Branches. On registration, members are presented with a MyBook Club card which offers them a host of benefitsincluding free entry to the Book Fair and discounts at partner bookstores, all year round.

Mr. Nanda Fernando, Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC, presenting a personalized MyBook Club card to H.E. President Maithripala Sirisenaat the Colombo International Book Fair

Going beyond discounts on books, members can also use their MyBook Club cards for a wide array of banking services including deposits, withdrawals, payments and more at any Sampath Bank branch.This is made possible by Sampath MyBank which seeks to bring in greater financial inclusion by offeringselectedbanking services to underbanked and unbanked consumers in remote areas of the nation through a network of Agents.Taking the Bank’s services closer to all Sri Lankans, this helps promote financial inclusionand encourages the habit of savings.

Commenting on this partnership, Mr. Nanda Fernando, Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC said,“At Sampath Bank, we are committed to adding value to the lives of all fellow Sri Lankans. We are delighted to partner with the Colombo International Book Fair for the 13th consecutive year and support the organizers in promoting the habit of reading.Unlike reading up on a subject on the web, reading a book provides one with much needed focus and concentration. This year, we had the honor and privilege of welcoming H.E. President Maithripala Sirisena to our MyBook Club, an initiative launched with the same objective.Offering further impetus to read and seek knowledge, it is also linked to Sampath MyBankto boost financial inclusion by taking banking services closer to all citizens.”

Sampath Bank invites book lovers across the nation to avail the privileges on offer by registering with MyBook Club and increase their reading habit and enhance their knowledge through it.